September 30, 2024 – ROCHESTER, MINN. Licensed mobile food unit operators are invited to vend in the recently completed Discovery Walk from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day of the week.
Two-week permits for the launch of the new Discovery Walk mobile food zone are available at no charge, now through the end of October. This mobile food zone is located on the west side of the 300 block of 2nd Avenue SW and has 30A hook-ups available for vendors to use at no charge. All vendors must hold a City of Rochester Mobile Food License
- Mobile Food Unit Zone Permit Application
- City of Rochester Mobile Food License
- Mobile Food Unit Guidance on Vending in the City of Rochester
Discovery Walk is a linear parkway along 2nd Avenue SW in downtown Rochester that connects the Heart of the City to Soldier’s Field Park. It is a high-amenity pedestrian area while also maintaining flexibility for bike and vehicular access, civic events and future development.
Month: September 2024
DMC Corporation Approves Funding for Downtown Historic District
(Rochester, Minn.) September 26, 2024 – At the quarterly Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMCC) Board of Directors meeting, the board approved funding of close to $85,000 for long-term improvements to a property in the Downtown Historic District under the DMC Downtown Property Preservation Program. This is a program designed to assist property owners and tenants in the Downtown Historic District with up to 50% of eligible project costs.
“Preserving and revitalizing the Downtown Historic District is essential to maintaining Rochester’s unique character and vibrancy,” said DMCC Board Chair Pam Wheelock. “By supporting the character of historic buildings, we not only honor the city’s past but also create opportunities for future economic growth, attracting businesses and visitors alike. Destination Medical Center’s commitment to these efforts ensures that Rochester remains a vibrant, thriving community for generations to come.”
Eligible project categories include:
- Adaptive reuse: conversion of property use, such as office to retail
- Building system upgrades: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.
- Building safety and preservation: exterior envelope sealing, accessibility improvements
- Code modernization: improvements made to legacy properties in relation to ADA or other regulatory compliance
For more information about the DMC Downtown Property Preservation program, visit this link.
The board also took action to approve the 2025 Capital Improvement Plan, totaling more than $38 million. The projects in the CIP include a variety of initiatives to achieve DMC Development Plan goals. Some of these projects include:
- Chateau Theatre analysis and planning for future capital needs
- Interim wayfinding activities to ensure employees, residents, visitors, and patients can successfully navigate through areas impacted by upcoming construction disruptions
- Link Rapid Transit construction activities on 2nd Street SW and U.S. Federal Transit Administration required contingency funding
- Sixth Street Bridge, Roadway Safety and Riverfront Improvements project design and planning
“The Capital Improvement Plan we are approving marks a significant step in shaping Rochester’s future,” said board member Williams. “These investments will drive growth, enhance public spaces, and improve infrastructure in ways that benefit residents, businesses, and visitors alike. This plan will fuel the city’s transformation, ensuring long-term economic vitality and a stronger, more connected community.”
Also on the board’s agenda was a request for private development funding from a local developer. The request was for assistance with a 94-unit apartment complex located on 2nd Ave SW, south of One and Two Discovery Square. The project was denied funding based on the following factors: the size of the public subsidy request was over six times the amount that an average project has received from DMC in the past, the design submitted did not meet City of Rochester guidelines for street level activation, nor did it meet DMC goals for affordable housing.
“While we wish to see the successful development of this site along Discovery Walk, we believe that the applicant’s request was not the best use of limited DMC resources,” said DMC Executive Director Patrick Seeb.
Furthermore, the DMCC board approved the DMC Economic Development Agency’s (EDA) 2025 workplan and budget. Strategic direction from the board and DMC goals, guiding principles and priorities helped shape the request. It will be presented in October to the Rochester City Council for approval.
The next DMCC Board meeting is set for Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 9:30. a.m.
Healthy Community, Healthy City: Celebrating Progress and Looking Ahead at DMC’s Annual Meeting
Joined by interactive exhibits from partners, Destination Medical Center held its annual meeting on the 5th Floor of Two Discovery Square, gathering business and community leaders to reflect on progress and discuss future plans for Rochester. Themed “Healthy Community, Healthy City,” the event showcased significant milestones and outlined the exciting path forward.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Executive Director Patrick Seeb opened the meeting by recalling the 2019 Annual Meeting, which took place at the same location. At that time, the celebration marked the opening of One Discovery Square and the vision for Discovery Walk. Four years later, Seeb highlighted how that vision has come to life, transforming the DMC District into a vibrant community hub. “I am filled
with immense pride and optimism when I look around this room and see this cross-section of our community working together to do big, powerful, challenging, creative, innovative things, and doing it together and in collaboration,” Seeb said.
Celebrating Accomplishments
DMCC Board Chair Pamela Wheelock reflected on the past year’s achievements, including the completion of Discovery Walk, improvements at Soldiers Field Memorial Park, and progress on new housing initiatives. She emphasized the collaborative spirit that focused on equitable engagement and development to benefit the entire community. “What we do matters, and we have a lot of work left to do, but our ability to come together and to share ideas and build consensus is a cornerstone of our progress. It’s the foundation of our innovation and creates a sense of community pride in every project that we do,” said Wheelock.
Looking to the Future
Rochester Mayor Kim Norton provided a glimpse into what lies ahead. She discussed Mayo Clinic’s Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester initiative and its transformative impact on the community. Norton also highlighted major projects like the Link Bus Rapid Transit system, the West Transit Village, the new 6th Street Bridge, and efforts to support Rochester’s Historic District. She also touched on sustainability efforts, mentioning the City’s Thermal Energy Network, which advances Rochester’s green and resilient future. “Tonight, as we reflect on this incredible transformation that is happening in our community, I invite you to consider your role in shaping Rochester’s future,” said Norton. “Let’s continue to build a community that we want, that we envision together.
Art Meets Innovation
Artist Sophia Chai, creator of the Punctuated Asymptote installation on Discovery Walk, shared insights into her work. Her installation aligns with the innovative spirit of the DMC initiative, adding a creative dimension to Rochester’s growing public spaces.
In her words, “Comprised of 62 light poles spanning the entire length of Discovery Walk, Punctuated Asymptote serves as punctuated markers that together, draw an asymptotic line against the curve of the land. Each of the 62 lights has a unique length, varying from 4’ to 15’, yet reaching the same elevation from the sea level as the top of the lights draw horizon lines.
Each day the lights will start turning on at sunset, beginning with the southmost light at 6th St SW and turning off at sunrise, starting from 2nd St SW, at 1/2-second intervals. Just as each light has a unique height, each light will turn on and off at a distinct time. The entire turning on/off of the lights will take about half a minute, like the average heartbeat of a person walking, 120 bpm.
Punctuated Asymptote invites viewers to slow down and come to be aware of the gentle sloping of the land, a relic of the geologic history of this area known as the Driftless Region, beckons you to note everyday solar events, and experience the different perspectives and narratives, drawn on this pathway.”
Closing Remarks: Celebrating Progress, Anticipating the Future
Executive Director Patrick Seeb closed the meeting by reminding the attendees of DMC’s roots in building public infrastructure in collaboration with federal, state, local, and private entities. “Let’s do it right. Let’s do it special. Let’s make this a destination for the quality, the innovation, the creativity, the uniqueness, the specialty.”
Thanks to our sponsors
GOLD
Kimley-Horn
Mayo Clinic
Premier Bank Minnesota
RSP
SILVER
Home Federal
University of Minnesota Rochester
BRONZE
Knutson Construction
Kraus-Anderson
SRF Consulting Group
Fredrikson
Weis Builders
Exploring Public Art in Downtown Rochester
Local artists bring life to public spaces. With the summer winding down, we invite you to make the most of the beautiful weather by taking an “Art Walk” through Downtown Rochester. Downtown is full of sculptures, murals and other creative installations, each with their own stories to tell.
The city of Rochester celebrates its local artists through a variety of online resources. To learn more about the many artworks downtown, visitors can refer to the Public Art Map. On the map, you can discover art installations, see which ones may be on your usual route or plan out an art walk centered around viewing the pieces. Each piece is assigned a number to help you identify it on the map. The website will also point you to nearby pieces to help develop your route.
Interested in taking your own art walk? We put together an example of what one could look like:
Start your walk with a coffee and vibrant murals
The 300 block of Broadway Avenue is host to a variety of colorful artworks. Eye-catching and selfie-worthy murals such as artist Leah Bee’s Organically Yours (#46 on the Public Art Map) and Maggie Panetta’s Impala (#34) adorn the walls near Café Steam, a favorite local coffee shop. Start your walk off with a latte and a quick photo with a colorful backdrop.
Head northeast to the Triton fountain and Hope sculpture
Make your way over to 1st street to admire two very different yet complementary works: Triton and Hope. Triton (#64), created by Swedish sculptor Carl Milles, is a bronze fountain sculpted in the likeness of Poseidon. Nearby, Hope (#33) stands in striking contrast. Sculpted by Charles Huntington, an American Indian artist of Ojibwe descent, Hope is a steel structure painted in bright, vivid orange.
Make your way to Discovery Walk
The brand-new Discovery Walk is not only home to lush greenery; it also features numerous art installations from talented artists, including Ayub HajiOmar and Sophia Chai. HajiOmar’s Poems in the Park is a collection of poems designed to engage with those passing by. Chai’s Punctuated Asymptote, a series of bright blue lights spanning the length of Discovery Walk, illuminates the walkway by night and day.
Conclude your art walk at the Heart of the City
Five world-renowned artists were invited to collaborate with the Heart of the City design team. Finish your walk with some of the most
captivating works in the city, including A Not So Private Sky (#2), A Song for Water with De Wakpa Taŋka Odowaŋ (#4), Peace Fountain (#49) and Wakefield (#67). Ending your route here will place you steps away from excellent bars and restaurants to continue enjoying your day downtown.